:±S F^53 





AMES' SERIES OF 
§ STANDARD AND MINOR DRAMA, 
NO. 113. 



BILL DETRICK. 




o '^ 



5'« 



WITH OAST OF CHARACTRRS, ENTRANCES, AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS 
OF THE PKKFORMKRS ON THE STAGE, DESCRIPTION OF COS- 
TUMES, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS, 

AS PERFORMED AT THE PRINCIPAL '^ 

AMERICAN AND ENGLISH 
THEATRES. 



CLYDE, OHIO: 
A. D. AMES, PUBLISHER 




AMES' SERIES OF ACTING FLAYS, 



PRICE FIFTEEN CENTS EACH-CATALOGUES FREE. 

*•» 

NO. M. r. 

12 A Capital Match, farce, 1 act, by J. M. Morton 3 2 

30 A Day Well Spont, farce. 1 act, i)y John Oxenford 7 5 

2 A Desperate Game, comic drama, 1 act, by Morton 3 2 

75 Adrift, temperance drama, 3 acts, by C W. Babcock, M. D 6 4 

80 Alarmingly Sus^ijicioiii^, comedieita, 1 act, J. P. Simpson 4 3 

39 A Life's Uevcn<,'0, drama, 3 acts, by W. E. Suter 7 5 

78 An Awfnl Criniinal, farce, 1 act, by J. I'algrave Simpson 3 3 

15 All llrihai>'.)y Pair, ethiopian farce, 1 act, by G. W. H. Griffin 1 1 

05 An Unwelcijme Return, fcom. intrd, 1 act, by George A. Munson 3 1 

31 A Pet of the Public, farce, 1 act, by Edward Sterling 4 2 

21 A Romantic Attachment, comedietta, 1 act, by Arthur Wood 3 3 

43 Anali DeBaugh. drama, 5 act?, by F. C. Kiiinamaa 7 5 

IW A 'rhrjlliiig Item, farce, 1 act, by Newton Chisnel 3 1 

73 At La.st. temperance drama, 3 actf, bv G. C. Vantrot 7 1 

20 A Ticket of Leave, farce, 1 act. by Watts Phillips -. 3 2 

Vlo Auld Jtobin Gray, emo. drama, 5 acts, Malcolm Stuart Taylor, 25 cents 13 3 

]00 Aurora P'loyd. drama. 2 act-, by \V. E. Suter 7 3 

b!) Beautv of Lyons, dom. drama, 3 acts, by W. T. Moncriefl 11 2 I 

8 Bettr Half, comedietta, 1 act, by T. J. Williams 5 2 

98 Black Statue, ethiop an farco, 1 act, by »'. White 3 2 i 

1 13 Bill Detrick, melodrama, 3 acts, by A. Newton Field... 6 4 1 

86 Black vs. White, farce, 1 act, by Georges. Vautrot 4 2 

14 Brigands of Calabria, rom. drama, 1 act, W. E. Suter 6 1 

22 Captaiu >niit ), farce, 1 act, by E. Berrie 3 3 

84 (;heek will Win, farce, 1 act, by VV. E. Suter 3 

4'.i Der two S;irprir<es, Dutch farce, 1 act, by M. A. D. Clifton 1 1 

72 Deuce is n Him. farce. 1 act, by R J. Raymond : 5 1 

19 Did I Dream n ? farce, 1 act, by J. P. Wooler 4 3 

42 DomesLic Felicity, farce, 1 act, by Ilattie L. Lambla 1 1 

(iO Driven to the Willi, i)lay, 4 acts, by A. D. Ames 1) 3 

27 Fetter Lane to Gravesend, ethiopean farce 2 

13 Give me my Wife, farce, 1 act, by W.E. Suter 3 3 

117 Hal Hazard, military drama, 4 acts, by Fred. G. Andrews. ...• 8 3 

bO How She Has lli-r Own Way, sketch in 1 act, by Ida M. Buxton 1 3 

24 Handy Aufiv, ethiopean farce, 1 act 2 

fW Hans, the Dutch J. P., Dutch farce. 1 act, by F. L. Cutler 3 1 

liG Hash, fare-, 1 act. by W.llcnri Willdns 4 2 

52 Heiiiy Grandcn. drama, 3 acts, by Frank L. Bingliara 11 8 

17 Hints on Elocution and how to become au Actor 

103 Ho'.v Sister I*, got Child Baptized, ethiopean farce, 1 act 2 1 

7(1 How He Did It. comic drama, 1 act by John Parry. 3 2 

74 How to Tame Your Mother-in-law, farce, 1 act. by H;^. J. Byron 4 3 

3") Uow Stout You're G; ting, farce, 1 act. by J. M. Morton 5 2 

*^t; Hunter of the Al|)s, drama, 1 act, by Win. Dimond 9 4 

41 Jn the Wrong Box, ethiopian far -e, 1 act, by M. A. D. Clifton 3 

95 111 the Wr ns: Clothes, farce, 1 act 5 3 

77 .Toe"s Visit. Ethioj)ian farce, 1 act. by A. Leavitt and H. Eagan 2 1 

1! John Smith, farce, 1 act, by W. Hancock 5 3 

99 Jumbo Jum. farce, 1 act.. 4 3 

S-2 Killing Time, farce, 1 act 1 1 

9 Lady Aiidley-s Secret, drama, 2 acts, by W\ E. Suter G 4 

3 I>a'ly of Lyons, drama, 5 acts, by Bulwer l! 5 

lOt L(jst. lcm;»erance dr.ima, 3 acts, by F. L. Cutlet,. G 2 

1(16 Lodgings for Two, comic .sketch, 1 act, by F L. Cutler 3 

4() Man and Wife, drama. 5 acts, by IL A. Webber 11 7 

91 Michael Erie, dram 1. 2 acts, by Egcrton Wilks 8 3 

30 Miller of Derwent Water, drama, 3 acts, by E. Fitzball 5 2 

88 Mischievous .Merger, Eihiopiun farce, 1 act, by C. Whi:e 4 2 

34 Mistletoe Bough,"melodriuna, 3 acts, by C. Somers;it 7 8 

J^° Catalogue continued on next page of cover. _^E| 



BILL DETRICK. 



THE MYSTERY OF OLIVER'S FERRY. 



MELO-DRAMA, 



■IN- 



THREE ACTS, 



A. WEWTOI^ FIEI.I>, 

Author of The New Magdalen; Reverses; Twain* s Dodging; Those 

Awful Boris; Other People's Children; The Yankee 

Duelist; The Pop-Corn 3Ian; etc., etc. 



.A 



Entered according to act Congresm, in the year 1333, hy 

A. D. AMES, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 







-+ CLYDE, OHIO, t 



A. D. AMES, PUBLISHER. 



c 






'v' 



BILL DETRICK. 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

'Bill Detriek, Evil genius of Perth. 

Walter Kippen, 

Jack Detrick, 

AVilliam Lewis, 

Old Oliver, The Ferryman. 

John Hanson, 

Mrs. Kippen 

Hester Detrick, 

Old Mrs. Oliver, 



Time— The year 183— 



Place— Perth, Ontario, Canada, and Oliver's Ferry, six miles from 

Perth. 



TMP96'-006643 



BILL DETRiCK. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. — The dock at Oliver'' s Ferry, Night — Water landscape^ 
showing liidean Biver and Lake in the distance — Profile of dock^ 
with John Hanson standing on it, l. h. — Set xoater — Ferry boat on 
casters, to be pulled of n. h. — Bill Detrickand Old Oliver in boat 
— trap open behind set water and in front of boat, c. — Detrick 
throws rope to John Hanson, 

Detrick. Hi, there ! Cntch that rope and pull us in, and then 
good honest Old Billy Oliver shall pull you across the Ferry. 

Hanson. All right. I am in somewhat of a hurry, as 1 fear my 
wife will be dead ere I can reach home. 

(pulls in boat to dock and fastens it to spile 

Oliver. (gruffl>/) Go to the wagon and get your traps, and 
hurry, for there is a storm brewiu'. (exit, Hanson, l. 

Oliver. Say, Bill, had we better tap him ; I see'd his bag o' siller, 
and it's as plump as a partridge, all shiain' and bright. (between 
his teeth) Oh! how much I love gold, Bill. But then you know 
that on account of the seven graves in the ruins on the Island. Eh! 
Bill? 

Det. ( always slowly ) Hi ! Yes, we both know, old friend. We 
both know, as you say, and we'll know more before the storm 
comes. It seems too bad to duck this 'ere chap ; but we must, for as 
you say, we must hive money, eh, old boy? Ain't it well for 
us that we are workin' together? I brings the men on my mail 
wagon, and find out how much they got, and then me and my good- 
hearted, whole-souled friend, Billy Oliver, makes way with them in 
the deep bl-ck ferry ! 

Oliver. Yes, and we makes way with the silver, too. 

Det. Hist ! Here comes our passenger. Hurry, lad, hurry ; for 
the wind is blowin' down stream, and the current is strong. Hand 
me your truck. 

Hanson enters, L. 

Hanson hands satchel and bundles to Detrick, .who lays them in boatj 
Hanson climbs down and sits on middle seat, Oliver at bow, Detrick 
at stern — boat moves to c., Detrick lays down paddle and takes 
handkerchief off his neck, creeps up to Hanson and gags him, then 
hits him on head with paddle, Oliver turns and holds Hanson'* s feet 
while Detrick takes out large bag of money. Oliver and Detrick 
pick up body and drop it overboard into trap, c. 



i BILL DETRICK. 

• Oliver. He tnck it easy, anyhow — didn't he, Bill? 

Bill, Yes, and I tuck tills easy, (holds up bi^ &/ money) Let us 
put back to shore. Here comes the steamer By -town, and I expect 
a load fer Perth, (steam whlslla heard in distance) That's the old 
tub. I know's her squeal. 

' the)/ tie up boat at dock, then sit and divide money 

Oliver, (angrily) Only two pounds fur me out o' fifty ! Here, 
Bill, I know you too well to take that! 

Dzt. It's enough. I hed to do the job, and two pounds is plenty 
fur hush money ! 

Oliver. Bill, look a here now, I've knowed you nigh on to ten 
year, and I know who was the cause nv those seven graves in the 
old house on tlie Island. Out o' every job I tuck the hush money, 
and you tuck the orist. Now me and' my old ISTancy hez stuck to 
you, and held our toni;ues, and you hev the cheek to hand me two 
paltry pounds onto' fifty. I won't take it! I'll blow first! D'ye 
hear! 

Det, Don't you blow, Oliver, fur I do sware thet you was as 
deep in the mud as I was in the mire. So don't you blow. 

Oliver. There's Xancy and I again you, and the testimony o' two 
is better nor one. Here's yer money, I don't want it ! 

Det. (scowling) Curse ye! Take it, or you'll be sorry thet you 
ever went back on Old Bill Detrick ! 

Oliver. I wont take it. I ain't afraid o' you, neither is Nancy, so 
scowl all ye like, I ain't a goin' to take yer sm ill change. 

Det. Ye won't, eh ! Then I know what ye will take — a drink out 
o' my bottle, which will put ye in a better humor. 

Hands bottle, Oliver raises it to drink, Dstrick hits him with club and 
drags him to edge of dock, throws him over into river. 

— I guess he'll not blow now ! ( exit, l. 

Enter Old Nancy Oliver on dock, she is dressed like an old hag, and 
carries a long pole, 

Nancy. Oho ! Bill Detrick, you'd kill poor Old Oliver, would ye. 
But he shan't die. 

Craiols down at back of dock — disappears — cries for help heard from 
Nancy. Enter ttvo men, L. 

1st Man. Hello ! if there ain't Old Nancy and Billy in the water 1 
Comin', Nancy ! Comin' ! We'll get yer out! 

(both lean over and pull up Old Oliver first, then Nancy, upon dock 

Enter Bill Detrick, L. 

Det, What's the trouble. Old Billy drunk again, and he's wet, 
too. Been fishin' him out, boys'? 

2nd Man. Yes, we fished tli'em both out. 

Nancy. Oh ! yes, he's drunk again, Bill Detrick, and—' lays hand 
on Oliver's head)— ha's cut his head in fallin' ofi" the dock. Oh! yes, 
he's drunk again. Ha! ha! ha! And he must hev cut his head on 
a stone, or maybe a club ! Eh ! Bill Detrick? You and I hev seen 
seven men who had cut their heads in fallin'. Didn't we. Bill? 
Ha! ha! ha! Yes, poor Old Oliver is drunk again! 

Bill, (threatinghj) Hold your tongue, yoii crazy old fool, or I'll 
hold it fer you. D'ye hear {• 



BILL DETRICK. 5 

Nancy. Yes, my dear friend, Bil], I didn't mean any harm. You 
knowed I didn't. But isn't it funny Old Oliver's drunk again? Ha ! 
ha! ha! (to men) Carry my old man home, boys, will ye? Home 
to our poor old cabin, fer he can't walk — he's drunk ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
Don't you see he's drunk again ? And seven o' them with cuts on 
their heads like my Old Oliver's got, asleep on the Island ! Ha ! ha ! 
ha! They were all drunk, drunker than my old man. ( men carry 
Oliver out l., Bill Detrick stands icith arms folded, facing front, Nancy 
comes silently up behind him and lays hand on his arm — he starts) Bill 
Detrick, do you think that because OldXancyib old and feeble that 
she is blind ? 

(Detrick dravss knife and moves a step towards her 

Det. She devil! What d'ye mean? 

Nancy. Stand back, Bill Detrick ! Stand back and listen to me. 
For ten years my old man and me hev knowed ye. Aye, Bill, we've 
knowed ye better than your poor wife Hester does. We've taken 
the ha' pence, and you've taken the pounds from the poor devils 
that come'd out this way. Don't look so dark, friend Bill, I see'd 
the seven lonely graves in the old stone house out yonder under the 
green trees on the Island, and I know who caused them to be there, 
and so do you, Bill Detrick, and so does my old man. And now be- 
cause we know this, and because my poor dear old man wants a 
little more than two pounds out of fifty, he has to get drunk and fall 
off the dock. Ain't it too bad, Bill, that he got drunk? 
' Det. AVhat the devil do you mean ? 

I Nancy, (wildly) What do I mean? Ha! ha! ha! You ask me 
what I mean, then I'll tell you, Bill, I'll speak so you can't help but 
understand; aye, I'll speak plain. Eight years ago on a dark and 
stormy night I sat by my old man's side at our cabin fire ; we'd 
beentalkin' o' our younger days, when he was a bright young man 
I who knowed no sin, and I was a comely lass who never knowed any 
'sorrow. Yes, Bill Detrick, thoughts of our happy youth filled our 
I minds, pictures of our dear old parents floated back on the wings of 
memory, and made us for the time happy and content. But we 
were very poor, and poverty is hard to bear. We'd talked fer an 
hour or so when we remembered our poverty, and my old man said : 
, "I^ancy, woman, I must have gold, I can't endure this terrible pov- 
jerty any longer." Just then came a rap at the door. We wiped 
our eyes for we'd been cryin'. (Detrick shrugs his shoulders) Aye ! 
you can laugh ef you want to Bill Detrick, laugh ef it pleases ye, 
but we had been cryin' like children; Oliver opened the door, and 
there stood the driver of the mail wagon from Perth. " Aman to go 
over the ferry," said he. My poor old man took his tattered great 
coat and oil skin hat, and went out into the night. I peered through 
the window and followed the twinkle of the lantern he carried. Some- 
thing made me feel as ef I should follow them, but I sat down and 
made up my mind that it was childish to feel so. But something 
urged me to go, and I went. I crawled to the wood pile on the 
dock and hid in its shadows. Soon I see'd the stranger get into the 
boat, a fine handsome young gentlemen in fine clothes, and sit in 
the middle seat, the driver of the stage was in the stern, my old man 
in the bow. Out flew the boat into the boiling, seething waters of 
the Ridean, I heard the quick rub of the paddles as they scraped the 
sides of the boat, and near the middle of the stream they stopped, 
I could hear a blow, a single long cry for help, and then all was 
still— the boat never reached the other side that night, but returned 



6 BILL DETKICK. 

to this shore with only two men in the boat, one was my old man, 
the other was 

Bill. Hold hard! Say no more or I'll cut yer throat, old wo- 
man I De ye hear I 

Nancy. Stand off — {raises stick over her head) — Bill Detrick, or 
I'll have to stain my soul as yours is stained. Now you see what I 
know of the stormy night eight years ago. Long and bitterly did I 
weep and pray fur my old man, and from that day to this he has 
been changed from a good l^ind husband to a demon, {loildly) Aye I 
to a demon, Bill Detrick, and you are the cause, and to-night you 
did yer best to fill another grave with my poor old man's body. But 
you have failed. Crazy Old JSlance saved the poor old drunken man. 
Ha! ha! ha! Yes, as you say, Oliver is drunk, but not on liquor. 
No! no! not on that, but he is drunk with the blood of another vic- 
tim. That makes eight, don't it. Bill, that makes eiglit in all— eight 
green graves instead of seven, and another demon added to those 
already in the breast of my poor old man. Yes, he must be drunk. 
Ha! ha! ha! {exit, Nancy, b.. 

Det. Well, it beats all how a crazy woman will talk. Aye ! they 
say too much, these women, but then they're all crazy. 

Enter Jack Detrick, l. 

Jack. Say, dad, ain't the old thing comin' slow to-night? 

Bill. Yes, that she be. Hosses all right. Jack? 

Jack. Yes, dad, one is right and one left. That is to say one is 
on the right side of the pole and the other is on the left side. 

Det. No nonsense Jack, I'm in no humor to hear any foolin' to- 
night. 

Jack. Dad, you know I'm a little cracked — so the boys say — and 
you mustn't mind me, fer you know, dad, I takes good care of the 
hosses, don't I dad? 

Bill. Yes Jack, my boy, and you are the only one that seems to 
let me have my own way. 

Jack. Dad, what is the matter with Crazy Nancy to-night? She 
rushed past the wagon just now, saying as she went: "Yes, he's 
surely drunk." What does she mean? 

Det. Never mind what she means, but go to the hosses, fer here 
comes the boat. 

Jack. All right, dad, fer right is right, and right wrong's no- 
body, {exit, Jack, L. 

Det. Curse her, I'll kill her yet, the old hag. Wliat does she 
' mean? I wonder if she Mill blow. No, she daren't, fer her old 
man would swing from the same gallows that I did. But those 
faces that I see at night. Aye ! they make me sleepless, and my 
rest I have only when the bright warm sun is shining. It must be 
fancy, {noise outside, l. h.) Ah! here comes Old Nancy. I had 
better settle with her now before the boat comes in. 

{moves into 2 e. l. 
Unter Nancy, l. 

Nancy. He is gone. The destroyer of my peace. He's gone, 
and he said my old man's drunk. But Til let the world know what 
he is. I'll — {Detrick jumps out a)Hl hits her with fist, she staggers 
and falls c^ dock into vmter, steamboat hell heard r, h., whistle heard 
and voice calls) Hard-a-portI She's in, sir! Woman overboard I 



DIIJ. DETRICK. 7 

Woman overboard! {exit Detriclc, l. Bell rings, tohistle blows again) 
Lower that b(»at ! Do you hear ? ( bustle and noise heard r. h. 

END OF ACT I. 



ACT II. 

SCENE I.— Bar room interior at Lewis' House, Perth; Bar up r., at 
back; tables r. and l.; Newspapers, &c.; Register on Bar— Mr. 
Lewis discovered ai l. 2 e., bowing, 

Lewis. Come in, orentlemen. This is a bad night for traveling. 
Come in and be seated. 

Enter Walter Kippen, Mr. Bnrford, Bill Detrick and Jack, l. 2 e.— 
Detrick throws himself into chair at table, l., Walter takes off over- 
coat, hands it to Lewis. 

Walter. Yes, this is a bad night, and tlie roads are terrible. 
What time do we have supper, landlord? 

Lewis. Very soon, sir. 

Det. Jack, 'go and put out the bosses; rub 'em down well, and 
then come in and have a drink. 

Jack. I'd sooner htive tlie drink now, dad, if you have no objec- 
tions. You see it's only three-pence anyway, and whether it is 
spent now or in half an hour from now, makes no difference. Does 
it, dad ? 

Det. Lewis, give Jack a drink. 

Lewis, (going co bar) What shall it be, Jack? 

Jack. I like hot sling, but then it takes so long to drink it. I 
like whiskey clear, but then it goes too fast, so I guess you'd better 
give me genuine gin. (Lewis hands out bottle and glass. Jack drinks) 
1 wish on my soul that that glass held a gallon. 

Det. Come, Jack, vou've had a drink, now look to the bosses. 

Jack. Dad, you're'a good ojie. You as has travelled the road so 
long knows what does a feller good on such a night as this, don't 
you, dad? 

Det. You are right, I do tliat. 

Jack. Then don't you think another glass of gin would do me 
good ? ^ , 

Det. Hi ! Stop it and go to the bosses. ( exit Jack, l. 

Walter, (comes up to Detrick) Are you not Bill Detrick? 

Bill. Yes, sir, that's me. But who the deuce are you? ^ 
Walter. ( seats himself opposite Detrick, at table, l.) Listen and 
I will tell you. I am a farmer living near Cornwall, and eight 
years ago I had a brother who came to these parts to transact a 
little business in the lumber line, his name was George Kippan. Do 
you remember him, landlord ? A tall man, black eyed, black haired 
and handsome? . ^ _ ,, 

Lewis. Yes, I remember him. He carried considerable money 

with him? , ^ , r. i j i 

Walter Yes sir. Well, after writing me that he had succeeded 
in his business, 'and would leave this town at once, I heard no more 
from him. He disappeared as suddenly as though the earth had 
swallowed him; and what made his absence more paintul was the 



I 8 BILL DETKICK. 

fact of his young wife dying, and calling his name till she breathed 
her last. 

Let. Well, what has this to do with me, I'd like to know? 
Walter. Have patience, sir, I am coming to that. The years have 
rolled away and still no tidings. We had at last counted him as 
dead. 

Det. I don't know what I've got to do with yer dead man. 
Walter, (not noticing him) Two weeks ago while working at the 
plow I had a vision. 

Lewis and DeA. A vision? 

Walter. Yes, gentlemen, I saw as plainly as I see you, a dense 
cloud as black as night settle around me in mid-day, when the sun 
was shining, so that I could not see my horses. I had not time to 
think, hardly, w^ien I heard a voice call my name; I knew that 
voice at once, it was my brother's. '^George," said I, "is that you?" 
"Yes," answered he, "It is George." Then in a rambling way he 
said that he had been murdered — 
Det. {trembling) Murdered? 

Walter. Yes. That he w ent to Oliver's Ferry on the mail wag- 
on, and was murdered, and his money and the name of the murder- 
ers were hidden in a stone jar in a certain piece of woods near the 
Ferry. He said that Bill Detriek was the mail carrier ; and then 
he described you so accurately that I knew j'ou as soon as I saw you in 
this room. 

Det. (nervously) But I don't know anything about his money 
nor him either ! I drove him out there, and then his affairs was not 
mine after that. Why do you come to me ? 

Walter. Because he said that you must go with me, and be there 
wiien this money was found. 

Det, (doggedly) I won't do any such thing. Do you think me a 
fool ? No, sir, do your own digging— it's out of my line. 

Lewis. Here Bill, have some sense. The gentleman may do the 
handsome thing by you. 

Det. I am content with what I honestly earns by my business, 
and have no wish to increase it by diggin' after things as people 
dreams about. 

Walter. Easy, my friend; I don't believe that anybody wants to 
injure you, but on the contrary may do you a great service. If you 
go and dig where I direct, I will agree here in the presence of Mr. 
Lewis to give you half the money the jar contains. 

Det. (excitedly) I don't want the cursed money. Do you think 
that I would handle money that is the price of blood? 
Lewis. Bill, one would think that you knew something about it. 

You act so 

Det, Lewis ! Do you dare tell me that I know ? (draws knije ) 

Curse you, if you do I'd 

Lewis, (raising chair ) Keep off, Bill, I did not say so. But why 
should you get so excited ? No one has accused you of anything. 

Det. Lewis, you'll have to be careful how you speak to me after 
this, (turns to Walter) And as fer you and yer dead brother's 
money, I don't want anything to do with you. 

(moves towards door, l. 
Walter. Bill Detriek, hark ye I I was not sure until now^ that 
my brother was dead, nor that he had been murdered, but now I am 
sure of it, and I can lay my hand upon his murderer 



BILL DETRICK. 9- 

J>et. (trpmhling) What d'ye mean? 

Walter. I want to see you in an hour, when I shall explain wha; 
I mean. Till then I am silent. 

Det. Say, Captin', yer riled a little now, but I'll tell you what 
you'd better do. I must iro now to my supper, and if you like to 
ride out with me to the Ferry to-nijrht to meet the steamer— you can 
8ay all you have to say on the way. How'll that do? 

Walter. Well, if it don't rain I'll go. As my time is precious, and 
I can't stop here long. 

Lewis, Your supper is ready, sir. {exit, Walter, r. 

Enter Jack Detrick, L. 

Jack. Dad, are you goin' to the night boat? 

Det. Yes, Jack, hitch up as soon as they are done eating. Lew- 
is, give me a drink, (takes drink— aside) He'll have to be careful 
In case the wagon might upset, and he get his neck broke, (to Jack) 
What the devil are j^ou staring at? B 4()ne, or I'll thrash you. 
(exit Jack, l. ) Lewis, you are too iree with your tongue, and I 
give you fair warning to use it a little easier, or me or you'll be 
Eorry for it. (erM, L. 

Leiais. That man's a devil, and he'll kill somebody yet if he 
haan't already. 

CHANGE TO 

SCENE Il.—Street in 1st grooves. 
Enter Jack Detrick and Hester, l. u,—Jack has basket on his arm. . 

Hester. So my boy, father is not in good humor to-night, eh ? 
Jack. No, mother, he is in the devil's own humor, an he makes 
me nervous when he looks so fierce. Mother, do you think that dad 
has done anything he's afraid 'ill be found out on him ? 

Hester. I don't know, John ; he is a queer man now to what he 
used to be. He used to be a good husband, but for the last eight 
years he has been changed. He has never slept at night since, and 
often in day time when he falls off into a doze he awakes with a 
start, and will shriek out: "I saw him— his pale face looking so sad 
—Oh I my God !" Then he will tremble, and when I ask hiin what 
ails^ him he looks up so dark and terrible like, and says "I saw the 
devil!" Oh, John, my boy, I hope that you'll never cause me the 
misery that your father hns caused me. (weeps 

Jack. Don't cry, mother, I'll try and be a good boy. Come, 
cheer up, and do as I do; don't mind dad. 

Hester. How can I help it when he acts so cruelly to me and the 
little ones ? 

Jack. If he strikes you again I'll kill him, mother! He can do 
what he likes to me, but he must let you alone. Do you hear, 
mother? He must! 

Hester. Don't do anything, John, that you'd ever be sorry tor, 
for I m afraid that is what ails your father. ■ Hurry home to your 
•upper as soon as you can, my boy. I'll have it ready and 
waiting for you. ' (exit, r. h. 

Jack. There goes a good soul. Poor old mother, she has much 
to endure from dad. But if thev were all like me they'd not stand it, 
thej d sit down when the old man begins to scold. 



10 BILL DETRICK. 

Enter Bill Detrick, l. 

Jack. ( slides down to stage and sits) Oh! 

Det. What are you doing here ? Have you got the hosses all 
right? 

Jack. Yes, sir, they are all right, and will soon be done eating. 
Say, dad, do you want me to go out to the Ferry with you to-night? 

Det. No, I can get along without you, I guess. 

Jack. 1 suppose you could. But can't you get along better with 
me? 

Det. Hold your tongue, and go and get the hosses. 

{Jack goes slowly R. 

Jack, (aside) I'll saddle the pony and follow liiin, fer he's up 
to something. ' exit Jack, R. 

Det. {fiercely) Yes, I'll do it. His confounded dream may spoil 
all, and put me where the dogs wont bite me. That's the way, kIo 
one wrong, and you have to do many to hide it. But I have to go 
on now. I can't give up my life so easily; one more won't matter 
much. Yes, it must be nine green graves instead of eight, and I 
filled them all. ( quick curtain as he exits excitedly, R. 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. — Near Olivers^s Ferry, on the river bank — stage dark — set 
trees at back, l. h. — water set at r. — set rocks at l. 2 e. 

Enter Bill Detrick and Walter Kippen, l, 

Det. It's too bad that the wagon should have broken down so 
near the Ferry. But we will get there in a few minutes. 

Walter. I am tired, and would like to rest. {sits on bank^ r. 

Bill. We have half an hour yet. 

Walter. I can say what I have to say here. 

Det, Well, spin ahead. 

Walter. I don't want you to get angry, or think that I am hard 
on you, but I must say what I think. I suspect from your actions 
at the hotel to-night that you are the destroyer of my brother. 

{Jack is seen behind tree at back, listening 

Bill, {angrily) Look out how you talk, sir ! You can't prove 
it, and I dare you to try. 

Walter. I have my dream as a guide, and on an island near the 
Ferry are some graves which, if I can find them, will throw some 
light on the subject. 

Det. You'll never find then! You can't! But what do you 
want me to do ? 

Walter. Sell all you own, and give the proceeds to my brother's 
child, or I'll have you arrested as my brother's murder! 

Det. What! Sell all I've got? You'll have me arrested as a 
murderer ? Whoever says I am a murderer lies I 

Enter Old Oliver, L. 
Oliver. I say it ! 
Det. You'll not say it again, for here you both die! 

Shoots Walter, who falls over backward from bank— Detrick rushes at 
Oliver and stabs him, he staggers and falls up n. 



BILL DETKICK. 11 

Oliver, ( leaning upon one arm ) Bill, you've done for me. I'm 
goin', but before I die let me curse you ! May you never see the 
sun again! May your children hate you, and after you are gone 
your memory, as I do ! May your wife's brain be darkened as you 
have darkened my poor Nancy's ! And may your portion be that of 
the damned ! (clutches at throat, struggles a moment, and falls dead 

Jack. ^ comes from behind tree) Oh, dad ! dadl See what you've 
done ! What will poor Nancy do now ? 

Enter Nancy from behind rock, she carries a lighted torch and a club. 

Nancy. Do? (wildly) I'll do as he has done. I'll make a wid- 
ow ! I'll make children fatherless ! I'll fill another green grave on 
the Island ! But this time t'will be filled with a villian. Aye, Bill 
Detrick, we must settle our account now ! Ten is the number now, 
and you'll make the eleventh ! Ha! ha! ha! My poor old man is 
gone, my brain is almost gone, and before I go I must send your 
poor cowardly murderous soul to him wlio laughs loudly at your 
crimes. Yes, laugh, you demons! Laugh; for your earthly broth- 
er will join you soon ! Laugh ; for I am avenging the wrongs of 
many. Ha! ha! ha! Shrink and cringe. Bill ! Shake and tremble; 
for I am your direst enemy. I've kept my mouth closed because I 
loved you once. Yes, Bill, you ought to know me. Many a time 
have I held you in my arms when j^ou were an innocent baby. But 
now, oh heaven ! I must avenge the innocent babes you left parent- 
less. Yes, Bill, look at me. Do you know me? 

Det. Who are you ? 

Nancy. I am your sister ! 

Det. What, sister Nancy ? 

Nancy. Yes, Bill, I was your sister once, but now — (laughs' 
wildly) — I'm crazy Nance. Pray now — but no, you gave my old 
man no time for prayer. 

Det. Do you mean to kill me, Nancy? Kill your own brother! 

Nancy. Yes! Did you not kill my poor old husband? Ha! ha I 
ha! I'm not your sister now, I'm C^razy Nancy. Good-bye, Bill 
Detrick. Go and tell the fiends that Nancy's comin'. (sti'ikes him 
with club, he staggers and falls, l. — reaches into breast, draws pistol) 
Good-bye! Tell them I'm comin'. Bill. Be sure and tell them 
that 'twas I that sent you to them with the news ! Your sister, 
Crazy Nancy, 

Detrick leans on one arm and fires at Nancy, she shrieks and falls, c— 
Jack bows his head over her. 



CURTAIN. 



f RECENTLY PUBLISHED. 

S An entirely new mid original Nautical and Temperance Drama, by Pit Att 
^ aitur' 9 favorite author, W. Henri Wilkins, entitled 

\ THE TURN OF THE TIDE, 

I OR 

I WRECKED IN PORT, 

g — * — 

H There is no doubt but Mr. Wilkins is at this time the most popular write* 
^ of plays for Amateur Dramatic Companies in the United States, if not in the 
^ world. He is the author of Rock Allen the Orphan, Three Glasses a Day, 
.0 The Reward of Crime, Mother's Fool, The Coming Man, etc., all of which 
§ have been produced by nearly all amateur companies in the United States 
S and Canada. We take much pleasure in presenting now his latest and best 
^ drama as above, knowing that it will invariably suit all who purchase it. 
^The characters embrace an old man, Ist, and 2d leading men, villain, tw« 
fl ruflSans, and a 'nigger' who is very funny. Those who have produced 'Out 
^ in the Streets' will find 'Pepper' in this play, fully as funny as 'Pete' in 
H that. Female characters are a fault-finding old woman, leading, juvenile, 
I and a splendid comedy. The plot is simple, and yet very effective. The 
O serious portions are balanced by the comedy ones, indeed it is the drama 
S Amateurs want. See synopsis below. Price 15c each. Send one cent post- 
F age stamps if possible, or 28 and 38. 

^ SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. 

f] ActFir8t. — The fisherman's home — reminiscences of the wreck. Thegath- 

g ering storm — Reference to the money — Entrance of the Pirate — Aunt Becky 

expresses her opinion of him — Pepper tells his story — The sunset gun — The 
S storm breaks — Susie's secret— Pepper struck by lightning — A signal of dis- 
H tress on the water — Clyde's proposal — "I have the power" — Lillian's secret 
". — "Why can't I die I He has forfeited all claims to honor or respect, and 
"S hopelessly cast me off, yet notwithstanding all this, I love him."— Entrance 
C^ of Clyde, ''You here! Begone and let your lips be sealed, or I'll cut out your 
« quivering heart and throw it to ihe fishes who sport in yonder deep" — 
J^ Clyde's soliloquy "Ah, Capt. St. Morris, a fig for your gilded castles built 
a on air." — The pirates rob the house. 

O Act Second,— Frisky's communings — She and Pepper have a little falling 
8 out — Pepper's pursuit of knowledge under the table — Clyde shows his colors 
5 and plays his first card, "Then my answer must be 'yes,' though it break the 
5 heart of my child." — The old man tries to drown his sorrow — Pepper goes 
^ for clams — Entrance of Lillian, "Yes, pirate though you are, and chieftain 
g of the hunted crew, I love you still I The time will come when you will find 
lg I am the truest friend you ever had." — Aunt Becky relieves herself of a Few 
u ideas and Pepper gives her a few more — The old fisherman falls a victim to 
■g Intemperance, and Aunt Becky expresses her opinion of *'sich doins." — The 
3 meeting of Clyde and St. Morris — The combat — Death of Clyde, "Oh, Hea- 

1 ven I I am his wife." — Tableau. 

^ Act Third. — One year later — Company expected — Pepper has a "werry 

curis" dream — Capt. St. Morris relates a story to Susie — Love-making inter- 

^ rupted by the old fisherman — His resolution to reform — Aunt Becky thinkr 

2 she is 'slurred.* — Lillian communes with her own thoughts — The Colonel ar* 
J rives — Pepper takes him in charge and relates a wonderful whaling story— 
^ Eestoration of the stolen money — "The same face. Heavens I I cannot be 
g mistaken." "It's all out."— The Colonel finds a daughter— He tells the 
g ttory of his escape from the wreck — Old friends meet — The Colonel's propo- 
sal and acceptance, "Bress de Lawd.'* — Happj^ ending, with song aud 
choru8.-'"Wi.iT Fob Thk Tubm Of Thb Tidk." 



AMES' PLAYS-Continued. 



NO. M. T. 

m Mother's Fool, farce, J act, by W. Ifcnri Wilkins 6 1 

1 Mr. .t Ml!*. Pringle. farce, 1 act, by Don T. Be Treuba Cosio 7 2 

23 My Heart's ill thu Highlands, farce, 1 act 4 3 

32 My Wife's Relations, comedietta, 1 act, by Walter Gordon ' 4 4 

90 ]Vo Cnre No Pay, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by G. VV. H Griffin 3 1 

()1 Not as Deaf as He Seems. Ethiopian farce;. 1 act 2 

.37 Not so Bad After All, comedy, 3 acts, by Wybert Reeve 6 5 

44 Obedience, Cv>medietta, 1 act, by Hattie L. Lambla 1 2 

81 Old PhiPs Birthday, drama, 2 acts, by J, P. Wooler 5 2 

33 On the Sly, farce, 1 act, by John Madison Morton 3 2 

109 Other People's Children, Ethiopian farce, 1 . ct, by A. N. Field 3 2 

12() Our Dang iters, society comedy, 4 acts, by Fred L. Greenwood...... 8 6 

85 Outcast's Wife, drama, 3 acts, oy Colin H. Hazelwood 12 3 

83 Out on the World, drama, 3 acts 5 4 

.^.3 Out in the Streets, temperance drama. 3 acts, by S. N. Cook 6 4 

57 Paddy Miles' Boy, Irish farce, 1 act, by James Pilgrim 5 2 

29 Painter of Ghe a, play, 1 act, l)y Douglass Jerrold 5 2 

114 Passions, comedy, 4 acts by F. Marmaduke Dey _. 8 4 

18 Poacher's Doom,' domestic dram ', 3 acts, by A. D. A.mes 8 3 

51 Rescued, temperance drama, 2 acts, by C. H. Gilbert 5 3 

110 Reverses, domestic drama. 5 acts, by A. Newton Field 12 6 

45 Hock Allen the orphan, drama, 1 act, by W. Henri Wilkins 5 3 

% Rooms to Let without Board, hthiopiau farce, 1 act 2 1 

59 Saved, temperance sketch, 1 act, by Edwin Tardy 2 3 

4S Schuaps, Inuch farce, 1 act, by M. A. D. Cliffton 1 i 

107 school, Ethiopian farce. 1 act, by A. Newton Field 5 

1 15 S. H. A. M. Pinafore, burlesquv, 1 act. by W. Henri Wilkins 5 3 

f5 Somebody's Nobody, farce, 1 act, by C. A. Mallby , 3 2 

91 Sixteen Thousand Years -» go, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 3 

25 Sport witli a Sportsman, E hiopian farce, 1 act T 2 

79 Spy of Atl-.nta, military alleirory, () acts, by A. D. Ames, 25 cents. .. 14 3 

92 Stage Struck Dcukey. Ethiopii^n farce, 1 act 2 1 

10 Stocks Up, Stocks ]).)wn, Ethio])ian farce, 1 act 2 

02 Ten Nights in a Bar Roo'u. temperance drama, 5 acts 7 3 

()4 That Boy Sam, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by !•'. L. Cutler 3 1 

40 That Myst -rious Bundle, farce, 1 act. by H. L Lambla 2 2 

38 The Bewitched Closet, sketch, 1 act, by H. L. Lambla 5 2 

•87 The Biter Bit, comt'dv, 2 acts, by Barham Livius 5 2 

1 il The Coming Man, farce, 1 act. by VV. Henri Wilkins -3 1 

07 The Filse Friend, diama, ii acrs, by (ieorge 8. Vautrot 6 1 

97 The Fatal blow, me odrama, 2 acts, by Edward Fitzball 7 1 

119 The Forty-Niners, or The Pioneer's Daughter, border drama, 5 acts, 

by T. W. Hanshew 10 4 

93 The Gentleman in Black, dram-i, 2 acts, by W. H. Murray 9 4 

112 The New Magdalen, drama, p;o. 3 acts, by A. Newton Field 8 3 

118 The Popcorn Man, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. NewKm Field 3 1 

71 Tiie Reward of Crime, drama, 2 acts, by W. Henri v\ ilkins 5 3 

16 The Serf, tragedy, 5 acts, by R. Talbot G 3 

68 The Sham Professor, farce, 1 act, by F. L. Cutler 4 

G The Studio, Ethiopian farce, 1 act -. 3 

102 Turn of the Tide, temperance drama, 3 acts, by W, Henri VVilkins.. 7 4 

54 The Two T. J's, fare •, 1 act. by Martin Beecher 4 2 

7 The Vow of the Ornani. drama, 3 acts, by J. N. Gotthold 8 1 

28 Thirty-three next Biitiiday, farce, T act, by M. Morton 4 2 

108 Those Awful Boys, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 5 

03 Three Glasses a Day, temi)erance drama, 2 acts, W. Henri Wilkins.. 4 2 
105 Through Snow and Sunshine, drama, 5 acts 6 4 

4 Twain's Dodgintr, Ethiopian farce. 1 act, by A. Newton Field 3 1 

5 When Women Weep, comedietta, 1 act, by'j. N. Got'hold 3 2 

50 W^ooing Under Difficulties, farce, 1 act, by J. T. Douglass 4 3 

41 Won at Last, comedy drama, 3 act«, by VVybert Reeve 7 3 

70 Whicii will he Marry, farce, 1 act, by Thomas E. Wilks 2 8 

.58 W^recked, temperance drama. 2 acts, by A. D. Ames 9 3 

111 Yanl^ee Duelist, farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 2 2 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



New Music ! 




016 103 781 3 



ire to 
lecrt 



A noaltJi to Oiir I1o8t4^ss. 

Ppangler, .Jr., Music by F. 0. Wilsc 
pleas:; tho^e who order it, can be su 
piece. Price 40 cents. 

I>ere Vas Bill I/«*e«lle Deiteliei' Gal. A c<ipital Dutch song for 
nifile voices, woi'ds by W. H. Spangler, Jr., music by F. Wilson. Can be 
used as a solo, or solo and chorus. Is sure to please all who purchase it. 
Price .30 cents. 

That Uttle Black ]Htistaclie. — Comic Song and chorus, by James 
M. Dow. Very taking, and a great success. Price .30 cents. 

Fayette ll^altz. — For piano or organ, by Will R. Reynolds. Easy 
and very pretty. Price 25 cents. 

Wait foi' the Tiii'ii of tlie Ti<le, — As Pung in Wilkins' Drama, 
"The Turn of the Tide." Arranged as a quartette by Will R.Reynolds. 
Very suitable for exhibitions, as it is easy, and at the same time very pleas- 
ing. Price 30 cents. 

My ilVaine Vas Heinvicli Hans.— A roaring Dutch Song, words by 
W. H. Spangler, Jr., music by F. (>. Wilson. This song has made a grea't 
hit, and is pronounced by both Press and Public the greatest hit of many 
years. Of moderate difficulty. No Dutch Comedian can afford to be 
without it. Price 30 cents. 



-m(&- 



^q New Plays Just Issued 



?^ 



l^ew Years in ]*ew York; or the r«erinan Baron. An original 
Comedy, in two acts, by W. PI. Spangler, Ji. 7 male, and 6 lemales. We 
believe this to be one of the best modern comedies ever written. There is 
a great variety of characters, each one entirely different from all the oth- 
ers. The Dutchman is simply immense, and every speech is the signal 
for a laugh. Il you have never read this play, it wiJ pay you to order a 
a copy. 

Ilie Hidden Treasures. A drama in a prologue and four a^ts by 
Zella Careo, 4 male and 2 female characters. Amateurs will find thjs a 
capital play for their use, and if looking for something suitable will not be 
disappointed. Time of perAu-mance, 1 and ,3-4 hours. 

Tl^anted a Hnshaitd. A Dutch Sketch in 1 scene, by F. L. Cutler, 
2 male, 1 femnle. Very funny. Time 20 minutes. 

CnflT's T.nek An Ethiopian Sketch, by F. L. Cutler, 2 males, 1 fe- 
male. Anotlier of Mr. Culler's best. Time 15 minutes. 

Old Ponipey. An Ethiopian Sketch in ] scene, by F. L. Cutler, I 
male, I female. Good character for an aged darkey impersonator. Will 
always please. Time 20 minutes. 

Happy Frank's Coniic.Song: and Joke Book. Containsa choice 
colleciion of original Songs, Jokes, Conundrums, Stump Speeches, etc. 
In addition to the above, it also contains one complete Dutch Sketch, one 
Ethiopian Farce, and a Kegro Sketch, all of which have never beiore been 
}mblished. Price 15 cents per copy. 

The Census Taker. An original Farce in 1 scene, by Ida M. Bux- 
ton, 1 male, 1 female. A very laughable piece, giving the experience of a 
census taker with a deaf old lady. Will furnish ample sport. Scene, a 
plain room ; time, about twenty minutes. 

All the above Plays 15 cents each, unless marked otherwise. 
Ad.lress, A. D. AMES Publisher, 

Clvde, Ohio* 



